09/12/2013
Hello!
I'm sorry that this has been a long time coming. I know it's been a while and I should probably update more often but the problem is, my life is pretty straight forward and there's simply not that much to write about! Since I've been gathering a list of stuff to include, I feel the list is now long enough to start writing! :)
Second Year of University
Second year is going pretty well. I am really enjoying it. As I suspected, the essay topics are harder this year so it's taken more research and reading than the minimal effort required for last year. I have handed in one essay already which I am hoping to get back before Christmas in 2 weeks time. That was my favourite module so accidentally I finished the essay a month before the deadline!! Hopefully that won't have a negative effect on my grade. Other than a group presentation on Fairtrade later on today, I'm pretty much done for Christmas and New Year. More about Christmas later on in the blog...
Placement
For placement I am in a really busy Primary School in Plymouth. As I requested to work with KS1 children; I have been put with a Year 2 class and I love it!! Unfortunately most of the KS1 classrooms either had too many adults already or it was inappropriate for me to be in that class. E.g. if the teacher was a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) and so would be unfair to put a student in with them. I think it worked out for the best because I have been able to gain experience in an age group that I wouldn't usually have chosen.
Despite not being in Reception or Year 1 like I had hoped, the children are all so lovely and the adults are all really supportive of my studies. I am attending one day a week so far and at the moment that it is enough! It is such a tiring job which makes me think how tired I'm going to be when I'm actually a primary teacher full time! I am also helping out with the Christmas story/nativity which should be lots of fun.
Science=Stress
I am still attending my Additional Science course on Tuesday Evenings and to be honest with you- I absolutely hate it. I don't enjoy science-like subjects as it is but I find the teacher boring and a bit useless. I spend most of the lesson just copying stuff off the board and answering the odd question. I also have so little enthusiasm for the subject that is it almost impossible to pick up my science revision text book when I'm at home. I do contemplate quitting on several occasions and every time I remember I missed the start of Holby City because of it. (Joking) I know it will be worth it to get my C in the end and be able to progress on to the PGCE but I also know it will take a lot more time, effort, enthusiasm and understanding than I currently have for it. Fingers crossed exams will be OK next year and that I'll find the will to survive when it counts the most.
TOM DALEY
On a lighter note, Tom Daley came out on YouTube as being in a relationship with a man this week. HURRAH!
This would not normally justify a 'hurrah' moment but as you may or may not know, I have been a huge fan of Tom Daley's for a long time and even more so since the Olympics and since he gave me a signed Happy Birthday note in January. I have enlarged the photo so people can read what it says. If you still can't, it says:
"To Ash
Happy Birthday
Tom Daley *Signature* "
I think he is so brave for coming out in such a public way yet is was still so personal and heart felt. I agree with what he said. In the ideal world people shouldn't have to come out because it shouldn't matter. We should be able to say we are in love and that's that. It is sad to see the low-lives being hateful on Twitter but he has done the right thing. Hopefully he has encouraged more young people and other sports stars to do the same.
I am glad he is happy and I wish him and his boyfriend all the best in the world. I for one will still be cheering him on in Rio 2016. Go Tom!
Gambia
A few weeks ago I received some amazing news. After initially thinking I had been unsuccessful, I found out that I had gained a place on the University trip to The Gambia in February 2014 for 7 days. I was (and still am) so happy and excited to go. The Gambia is in West Africa and we will be staying in the African Village Hotel in Baku near the Capital called Banjul. Although it will be very expensive, I hope it will be an experience that I will never forget. We fly out very early on 25th Feb and fly back on 4th March 2014.
On the University website, the trip has been given the following description:
"An opportunity for education (and music) students and staff to participate in this amazing and unique experience. See Africa, the people of Gambia, schools, classrooms, children and communities as no tourist can. Experienced staff and guides"
This excites me even more! I look forward to some sun, sea, sand and... smiles!
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| This is the clearest and most simplified image on Google I could find. |
Christmas and New Year Plan
This year, I am heading home on the 20th December for 2 weeks. I have decided to stay with Joseph in Plymouth for a week as, although we live together now, we still don't see each other that often because of Uni, work, or course work deadlines. Unfortunately he has to work for a while up to Christmas but it will be nice to spend some time together when he is not working before we spend Christmas apart. However just like last year, he has decided to come up to my Nan's to stay for New Year. We don't have any plans yet but hopefully something will pop up or we will go for a nice meal together. Last year we were both asleep before midnight! I set an alarm for a midnight-kiss and then we went back to sleep!! Talk about getting old, hey?
It's funny that this is our second Christmas together yet we have only been together for just over a year. Hopefully some day we will have a lovely Christmas together! Who knows?- Maybe next year.
Future/10 Year Plans
This topic was requested by a friend but as I've spoken about this a bit in previous blog posts, I'll keep it snappy. For as long as I can remember, I've had this 10 year plan. It was the mundane kind of plan. You know the one...
- Get a degree
- Settle down
- Buy first house
- Get married
- Have children
- Get a dream job etc etc.
Well although I still want these things, there is not really that much excitement in there!!
As I've already mentioned, I still want to be a primary school teacher in Key Stage One. However, I am starting to doubt the way in which it could be achieved. I never even imagined any other options apart from the PGCE Primary (Early years).
Now I am considering the School Direct option which is more of a practical way to achieve Qualified Teacher's Status as you are responsible of finding a school with the School Direct option as well as working with the University. These places can be paid or unpaid.
Granted this could be an interesting alternative but I am still keen on the PGCE. I would say 70% PGCE and 30% School Direct but that could easily change!
As from next year I believe, all Post graduate applications have to be done via UCAS so I may have to apply to other Universities other than Plymouth which scares me sh*tless.
I would also like to do more travelling maybe teach aboard in a developing country before committing ourselves to having lots of beautiful children :)
I also would like to travel with Joseph. My favourite place being Africa but I have also always had aspirations to go to America and India.
In 10 years I will be 33(!!!!!!!!) I want to have achieved all of the above by 30 at the latest!
Special Thanks.
My special thanks goes to Rachel W for always supporting me with my ambitions and always having brilliant advice and encouragement when I need it. Thank you!
Also a special mention to a good friend and former colleague Gillian R for being equally as supportive and being a cheerleader in everything I do. Thank you, Gill!
I will always be grateful for these two ladies :)
As always I encourage any comments or feedback on my writing. Thank you for reading.
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